Getting Older Is All About Family And Friends

Early this week, we went to a jolly party.  It was held at one of the leading bistros, housed in a popular hotel in town. The celebrant turned 70, so you can guess the age of the attending majority.  I was telling the two ladies at my table: "this party is made more exciting, because in children's parties, the games come first, in this one, the first part is dinner." They both agreed, old folks have dinner early. 

The celebrant, I'm calling Brad, (don't get too excited, he's not Brad Pitt, though maybe they have a similarity, just maybe...I guess it's their names) because I'm reluctant to mention his real name. I learned that he belongs to a big clan from a city south of the metro.  Folks in that place carry a distinct native accent but these guys were educated in universities in town so they don't speak that way.

 Before their presentation, one of the cousins said:

 "when we were invited to this party, there was one condition; we were asked to perform a number." 

They presented three songs, actually  (I heard they had even rehearsed);  they were very active and lively, oblivious of the hundred people watching them sing and dance; just like the siblings-and-their-spouses group who were just as uninhibited as the former group.  Most of the renditions carried the tune of popular songs,  adapted to suit their childhood memories growing up; with lots of happy, funny incidents retold through the lyrics. 

Not to be outdone, his wife's siblings sang as well, I guess, that was also the condition to merit an invitation, haha!  They were challenged by Brad's golf and tennis buddies who turned out to be quite shy afteall except the one leading the group who was exactly the opposite. 

Brad's only sister interviewed their Mom about his childhood; she retold one interesting incident that happened during the Japanese occupation. 

"One day as my Mom was walking home from church, carrying Brad who was about one or two years old at the time, a Japanese soldier came forward and snatched the boy", his sister started.....

"My mom was so scared as she followed the soldier up the stairs into a home and found a Japanese officer who had Brad on his lap.  Still fearful, my Mom did not speak and the Japanese officer said: 

'He looks so much like my son I left in Japan, who I miss so much', 

At that time, Brad's complexion must  resemble a Japanese boy".

 

Brad's 5-year-old granddaughter however, stole the show!  She sang "Let It Go" from the movie, Frozen, hitting all the high notes with her great voice, gaining a strong applause with a lot of ahhh's and ohhh's  from the audience. It was followed by a  duet of a Filipino ballad sang with her Mom who has an equally amazing voice. Wow! This family can carry a tune with so much enthusiasm, confidence and no inhibitions. I wondered, how someone who doesn't sing feel if married to anyone of them 

 

The climax was a surprise!  A message from Brad's daughter, who resides abroad came on the speakers while a picture of her and her husband was flashed on the screen. Brad was just standing near my husband's back at the time and maybe due to too much emotion he tried so much to control, he gripped my husband's shoulders as he listened.  I saw that he shed a tear or two when it was finally over.  It was a great message actually, and my husband recalled the part where the daughter thank him for the good things she took after him;  one of which is of being punctual, a trait that her husband appreciates. 

The cake came next and the candles were blown.   A surprise gift from his wife was presented with a request for him to open. It contained a toy gun that lighted up, producing a sound as he pulled the trigger.  "I've been wanting a toy gun like this since I was little but we couldn't afford it, now, at last, I got one".

The party was given as a surprise from his wife, but like any secret, the more people who knew about it, it does not stay a secret. "I'll sing for you tonight, grandpa", his granddaughter told him; "and there is a party", the 5-year-old continued. That's how he learned about it.  "What surprised me was there are a lot of people and to think that they closed this joint exclusively for my birthday!", Brad said

He thank everyone for coming,  "I never had a birthday party as big as this; ang dami palang nagmamahal sa akin ( I am loved by many))",  he said. He thanked the persons who made the party possible, primarily his sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

"Thank your wife", shouted the aggressive golf-tennis buddy. 

"You just wait, let's save the best for last", he patiently replied. 

Afterwards, when we started socializing again, we were entertained by a young band mimicking the Beatles.  There was dancing while others circulated, talking to friends and more picture taking. We sang along, we know the lyrics, that's our time, remember? 

Finally, like any good thing, it had to end. I was happy to bring home the party favor, a "loot bag" adorned with a stone.  Inside I found 5 golden almond-shape stones. I was at a loss what that might be or mean; maybe I'm missing something;  but I'm sure it is  significant to the celebrant. I was flattered to have been invited. 

Happy Easter!

This picture is from Royal Publications Limited: designed by Susan Bridger

"This is the day that The Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad"

Psalm 118:24

Due to the day's activities as well as the many greetings I needed to respond to, I was so preoccupied that this blog is one day late. 

Yesterday was truly a pleasant day!  It started bright and early for me, I had to get fresh fish for our lunch. My daughter, my son-in-law and my granddaughter were coming over as they usually do on special days. 

As our practice, our  family greeted each other early before doing anything else. That is a tradition we always observed as a family; wherever in the world everyone is, we always get in touch on birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, New Year and on special days when one cannot be physically present. 

"Happy Easter! We're off to mass, see you later", my older daughter texted before I was even up.  

My son e-mailed as well: "we're going to mass, Happy Easter! ". 

My younger daughter message me, "Happy Easter" together with a picture of the lunch she prepared for her and her husband. 

What about you? How did your day start, how did you spend the day? Was it as happy as this day should be?  In our family, Easter is just like Christmas, though there is no gift giving, there is always a feeling of joy.  Personally, I consider Easter as a day of hope, and a time for thanksgiving. 

It is always a good feeling to be greeted during important occasions, especially from my dearest and closest people. Many greetings came early on Facebook, via email and iMessage, I can't just say thank you. I had to greet back. And so the day went. 

My husband and I went to the 10:30 mass, then came back home to put together the lunch I prepared earlier. We had lunch after the picture-taking, almost a necessary thing to do nowadays, of course we always need to capture the moment. 

When my daughter and her family had to leave, I had to catch up on Facebook and emails again. More greetings to receive and respond to.  All in all, the day went like a breeze and before I knew it it was night time. 

Happy Easter everyone, may the joys and blessings of the risen Lord be with you and your love ones!

Holy Week Memories In Recent Years

My Holy Week after I got married was pretty much the same as my childhood since my husband and I made it a point to go home to the province during this time. 

In my husband's province, we come home to big vats of live local fishes still swimming in water to eat during this week. My mother-in-law only prepares fish and local vegetables during the whole week, she only prepared the festive food on Easter Sunday. For us, it's still a feast because we don't get to eat these fresh fish broiled in charcoal in the city. The houseboy would built a small bone fire in the backyard and roast the fish in a stick. It gets to the table that way as well which is part of the fun. We usually eat with our hands. Inspite our fun being with family on vacation the essence of the season is not lost for we visit the blessed sacrament, do way of the cross and attend other church activities. 

I am reminded of one Holy Week  when we lived in a city south of the country where my husband was assigned and where my son was born. Here, they really practice old traditions, and during the Maundy Thursday procession, affluent families dress up their antique statues of saints in elaborate robes to be part of the procession. This is really something to watch. 

In later years when our children were quite big, we usually spent a big part of the week at beach country clubs.  Here, we got to relax and bond with the children. We swam. We ate, read books and played games. 

When our children were old enough to appreciate travel we found ourselves one Easter Sunday having breakfast at MGM Grand in Las Vegas with my sister's family. My girls, including my 9-year-old nephew were thrilled to see an Easter bunny moving from one table to another giving away egg chocolates. That's where my daughters developed their love for egg chocolates and until now, they expect my sister to buy them some when she comes home  to visit. Once, she wasn't able to bring home some,

"They only come out during Easter", she said. 

I recall just recently, when were were grocery shopping, I noticed that my younger, newly married daughter had a pack of this in her grocery basket. 

While my family enjoy this break every year, we still observe the Holy Week worship. We still practice our Lenten sacrifice, we still observe fasting and abstinence.  

Speaking of Lenten sacrifice, I am really amazed with my nine-year-old granddaughter who gave up eating ice cream, her favorite; all throughout lent this year. 

"Why not give up ice tea?", her Mom asked, for she seldom drinks water unless forced;  "I can't",  she replied.  Ice cream is one of her favorites, it's what she usually asks for whenever she visits us.  When we ate out on her birthday recently,  the waiters brought out a semblance of a small cake, as they sang "happy birthday" to her. 

A small birthday candle on top of several scoops of ice cream was offered after our meal. She blew the candle, then pushed away the plate, " thank you, but I can't eat that now", she said politely. 

Last year, when she turned 8, they were on vacation in London and Paris during lent and guess what she gave up?  Buying toys, something she won't pass up during shopping at that time. I admire her restrain especially since they even went to Legoland.  This just shows how we can learn from children; in ways we oftentimes overlook or simply ignore. 

Hope you all have a pleasant Holy Week!

Reminiscing My Childhood Holy Week Traditions

 Last Palm Sunday ushered the Holy Week. 

My husband and I usually go to the 10:30 am mass at our parish church but because of a happy development in our family that day,  we decided to go to the 5:30 pm mass instead. Besides, the weather was too hot for my husband's blood pressure, not to say about the crowd carrying and waving their palms.  

Again, the attendance in the afternoon mass was beyond my expectations.  The church was full to the brim, even overflowing at the wings. The street to church was dominated by palm vendors offering their wares, some sold fruits and street food. 

This show of worship belies the saying that many people only go to church "when they are hatched, when they are matched and when they are displatched".  

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Way back to my childhood, many of our town folks only go to church during the Holy Week.  I recall that old folks dig into their antique, naphthalene-smelling wooden chests for their old terno (Filipino dress) together with their similarly smelling fans. 

I recall the over-crowded church with minimal ventilation; people even squeeze in the already packed pews just to  sit.  One time, I sat beside an elegantly dressed elderly lady in her Filipino dress who kept fanning herself, believe me, I could hardly breathe.  As a child I couldn't stand that "smell" of the "old",  tucked-away-for-a-long-time clothes that absorbed the smell of mothballs.  Every time she opened her fan, her stiffed, heavily-embroidered sleeves, made of piña (pineapple) or abaca (Palm) cloth scratched my upper arms;  it felt itchy, but i had to stay put for the church service was going on. I couldn't complain. Everybody stayed patiently until the lengthy services were done, this is their lenten sacrifice.

During the days of Holy Monday to black Saturday, life in the province is more subdued; people refrain from heavy work, loud laughter and attention-getting activities. The point is to focus and reflect on the passion of Christ.  Old folks advise the young not to climb trees or high places lest they fall and if they sustain wounds, healing does not come quickly.  Some even go without a shower on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.  I don't know how they coped, but I recall in those days the weather was bearable, there was no climate change then. 

On MaundyThursday and Good Friday, temporary altars were set in strategic corners along the streets as prayer stations,  Singers were hired to sing the passion of Christ in non-audible lyrics, to me it sounded like they were yawning loudly.  This singing practically goes on the whole two days as singers take turns.  People go there to meditate while the singing goes on. The procession on these two days is an activity no one wants to miss, it is attended by majority of the town folks, except the elderly who can no longer walk. On black Saturday when the church bells ring, old folks tell the children to keep jumping to grow tall.  I also did some jumping but apparently I didn't jump high enough so I'm not tall.  

Everyone looked forward to Easter Sunday when people can celebrate. They prepare festive food, some go to the beach to keep cool.   Like Christmas it is said that Easter is just as important if not more important.  When I was "still cute", I was often chosen to replace the black veil of the Blessed Virgin to white as She meets  the risen Lord at the Easter procession.

Have a blessed Holy Week everyone! 

On My Way to #100 Happy Days....

#Happyday 41

Upon the suggestion of my younger daughter and blog guru as well, I joined the #100happydays challenge on Facebook. At first I was reluctant to join, I feared that I couldn't come up with a picture or an incident that make me happy everyday. "Everyday?",  I thought, "that's a tall order".  But then I just can't refuse the challenge; it's one of the few traits that runs quite strong in me, so in spite my ambivalence "I plunged both feet into the water", all at once. 

The first week wasn't bad at all because it coincided with our trip to Singapore, so no problem, in fact there were many occasions that I could have used.  But when I got back home to normal activities I must admit that I seemed pressured to look for something interesting daily. I had to go into the deepest recesses of my mind to come up with something to post.  You see the #100happydays challenge is for 100 days, "how in heaven's name can I sustain that?"

But then I realized soon enough that it should not be the case, it should not be hard, it should be easy. It could come in a flitting moment that has to be captured right away so I should be alert. Awareness is the key. 

Looking out for something that make me happy, I learned, involves developing the art of paying attention.  If you do just that, you won't be wasting time as this talent is just as useful at a conference table as it is in finding more about your dinner date.  I became more conscious, more open, ready and willing to notice something or just anything. Today and everyday onwards, I look forward with happy anticipation with both eyes and ears open, ready to embrace what the day will hand me. 

Today is my 41st happy day and so far I'm afloat. I wouldn't say "I swam with difficulty", in fact I enjoyed it; a lot. I am happy with myself that I am celebrating it with my favorite corn soup.  "Celebrating?  You're not even half done? It's a long way to the home stretch my friend?", you would say.  

"And celebrating with soup? How odd?"  

But I'd say, "sorry to disappoint you all, for you won't hear Dom Perignon cork popping nor will I open a bottle of red.  My husband doesn't drink, not a drop in eight years, and I don't want to celebrate alone, so ...just soup".

Here are the ingredients: grated fresh corn from a cob, sautéed in shrimps, with carrots and frozen green peas, red and green bell pepper, mushroom, zucchini garnished with chopped spring onions and Celantro leaves. To thicken the soup, I was consistent by putting corn meal instead of corn starch. 

Wait!!!! You know what made me the happiest today? It's my reward, my indulgence for staying in this challenge so far.  After midnight today, I opened this:

A box of hand-crafted cream-filled chocolates: an assortment of strawberry cream, chocolate truffle,coconut cream, maple butter, raspberry cream, lemon cream, and orange cream.  

As I looked at the box's inner cover to choose one, it brought a smile as I recalled a game my younger daughter used to play with my daughter-in-law who brings home boxes of chocolate similar to this when she travels to the US.  In her blog, my daughter explained that they don't look at the box cover, they just pick one and must eat it, whether the filling is to their liking or not, just like playing Russian roulette. At the time of her writing, she said that in the box they opened the coconut cream (I guess it's the one they don't like much) is "still at large".  

Can I sustain the 100 days? I am very optimistic. 

Note: all images are from the 100happydays.com with the exemption of box of chocolates, my picture for day 41.

Appreciating the Effort Of Others

Each morning upon waking up, I would turn on the electric kettle for my morning coffee. Today as I waited, I looked around the kitchen and what a sight to behold!  All the ingredients I'll cook for lunch were there ready and waiting for me.  What a wonderful feeling that was! 

Last night I told my maid that I was going to cook menudo (stewed pork cubes in tomato paste with green peas, carrots, potatoes and raisins). And for veggies, I intended to make fresh veggie spring rolls with chopped-peanut-and-sesame-seeds sauce. It's summer after all and we wanted something light, filling and healthy.  

My new maid prepared everything but she didn't slice the turnips, carrots and potatoes for the spring rolls, she knew I could julienne them in a jiffy because if she does it herself it will take a long time. The meat cubes for the stew has been boiled with choice spices to a perfect tenderness, just right to be sauteed.  

 I took my coffee with my mini to enjoy it in the living room. I found everything was shiny, not a spec of dust on the furniture as well as on the floor. With a sigh, I lounged deeper into the leather-smelling coach with cushions surrounding me; took a deep breathe and all I can say was "oh, this is the life! thank you, Lord".

After going through Facebook posts and reading my mail, I went back to the kitchen.  I looked into the saucepan where my rolled oats is usually cooked and I found that it was already done.

 I put the oats into my regular blue bowl with a small handle, added one sliced banana, cut three chunks of dried pineapple into bits with the kitchen scissors, a tablespoon of nonfat powdered milk and mixed it. In another bowl, I cut a slice of yellow-orange papaya into cubes and brought the two bowls to our bedroom.

 And another "ohhh!", our bed was made, the pillows flapped nicely and my night table was tidy. What a blessing! Can you imagine if I did all that? 

What a pleasant way to start the day! I am blessed. 

Celebrating A Milestone : A 70th Birthday

Today I am happy to accept an invitation to a diamond birthday celebration.  I find the choice of the theme and venue excellent; a place where one can sing and dance freely for the young and old. Songs from modern and down to the 60's and 70's comprise most of the band's repertoire. 

Some people like to travel with the family, some join a cruise but most of the time, people want  to celebrate this inportant day not only with the family but with friends and relatives as well. 

This brings to mind my older brother's 70th birthday celebration two years ago. His only daughter organized it at a hotel near their place. She called me for some suggestions on how the party should go,  especially the program.   Since I love doing that; I've organized countless events very much bigger than this in my former job; I was happy to give my suggestions:

"Give plenty of parts to the grandchildren,  preferably a dance  from them as an opening number, and you'll see how the guests will love that".

"I'm too busy, ninang"  (I'm her  godmother, so she calls me that) "I can't coach them well" she said, 

"Oh, it need not be perfect", I said, "actually, their mistakes will be cute.

"Of course, some close friends will speak about "the good ole' days", she said as she proceeded to mention whom she was counting on to do that. 

"I can speak for my siblings", I said since my two other brothers and our only sister are all in the US.  "Of course, ninang, let's not waste family talent, you have to speak". Ahem! Not flattering myself here, she actually said that and she will read this blog so I can't put words into her mouth.

"Wow! This is going to be quite a job, this is one time I wish I had a sister", she said. 

"Let your two brothers help, especially your youngest, I'm sure he will be happy to help out", I replied. 

"Let your Mom speak, she's hosting this party afterall", I reminded her. 

"But she will ask me to write what she will say, besides, if I will let her do it, we may end up getting a lecture", she replied. Her Mom is a College dean, I recalled. 

 After a week, she emailed me, "too busy Ninang, can you help me with my Mom's speech?". 

"She must speak from her heart, that is very personal, but then maybe, I can make an outline", I emailed back. 

My husband and I called my brother to greet him on his birthday. "Where's the party? , I asked

"No money" he replied. 

When we arrived at the party, we greeted him again and he was smiling,  "Dahl (his wife), gave it away", he said. "When you called this morning, she asked what happened about something and whether you told me, and I said no. Then she replied that maybe you'll tell me tonight". (Meaning we will be seeing them)

 "And then a neighbor passed by the house this afternoon and told me he can't come tonight, so I got two hints", he said, laughing that he learned about this surprise party earlier on. 

The program hosts: his grandson in wine red and his son in stripes. 

The grandchildren : the one in plain pink and white is my granddaughter.

My brother's five grandkids.

The party turned out a success, the "closest and the dearest" among her dad's friends were there,  especially his best friend along with his brothers from Letran way back in high school. The program was great, the grandchildren were delightful, the buffet was wonderful. There was music, dancing and speeches and lots of laughter. 

Here, let me share excepts from my speech......

"Life begins at forty is no longer true, 60 is the new 40; in my mother's time, when one retires at sixty, he just sits on their rocking chair all day, watches the world go by and waits for his final day to come. Today, American surveys show that the life span of an individual is now extended to about 20 to 30 years."

"I have very little memories of my brother, I was very young when he was sent to the city for high school at Letran College, so I only saw him during vacations."

"He taught me how to dance, when he came home for vacation, he always taught me new tricks, the craze then was boogie woogie"

"He escorted me to my first college acquaintance party; and before I knew it he was dancing the night away with one pretty girl after another. "

"At 60 or thereabouts, life's choices should matter most. If you want to read on your iPad until 4am, whose business is it?  If you want to sing and dance to the tunes of the 60's or 70's, who should care?"

"What is important is to live in the here and now, not way back when or one day soon." 

Here, I quoted the former US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, who said: "Know what you want in life, you just have one life to live. It is yours, so own it, claim it, live it and do the best you can with it".

"Finally, dear Brother, live each day to the fullest, so that when your final hour will come, you can say without regret: "I came, I went and I did it all"."

Of course, there was so much more to the speech about being lucky for having a brother like him, and so on. .......

After my speech, my granddaughter who was hanging out with her cousins across the hall approached me with watery eyes and said:  "Nana, your speech is so crying-ful", she meant that it made her cry. She was seven then. 

Now, I'm wondering wether my speech was so sentimental to bring some tears to a seven-year-old.